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. March l2, 1963 J. o'. HRUBY,\\|R v 3,081,036

FOUNTAIN f Filed May 29, 1961 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR rib/wv 0. Hel/BY,fle.

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March l2, 1963 .1.0. HRUBY, JR 3,081,036

FOUNTAIN Filed May 29, 1961 2 sheets-sheet 2 Faa 7l i da 37 3,081,036Patented Mar. 12, 19763 FOUNTAIN John O. Hruby, Jr., Burbank, Calif.,assignor, by mesue assignments,v to Rain Jet Corp., Los Angeles County,Calif., a corporation of California Filed May 29, 1961, Ser. No. 113,5387 Claims. (Cl. 239-17) This invention relates to ornamental waterfountains. Ornamental fountains occur in'various forms. The more simplefountain devices, designed for home gardens, for example, send up but afew jets of water. Those in parks and other public places produce moreelaborate displays, in some instances of multitudes of jets. There arefountains of active jets alternately shooting high and low, and ,thereare fountains in which the jets move in a rotating or oscillatingfashion. But, the fountains of this invention produce jets which arelivelier and more animated, and to my liking are more pleasing to see,than any others. The fountain jets from devices of this inventionconsist of discrete water droplets, not solid streams, and they rotate,and appear as a myriad of sparkles playing not heterogeneously, but in adesigned pattern. This invention, viewed in a broad aspect, is animprovement in the fountains of my pending application Serial No.766,803, filed October 13, 1958, nowrPatent No. 3,030,028. The fountainsdisclosed in said patent application are characterized by a tubular stemwhich is caused to rotate on its axis and to gyrate, the upper end ofthe stem having an upwardly directed passage, the outlet4 endof which iseccentric of the stem axis whereby the jet of water from the outletpassage traces an epicycloidal curve around the axis of the stern. It isbecause of this epicyclic movement of the outlet end of the outletpassage that the jet of water is broken up into discrete droplets. Theinstant invention teaches forming of concentric groups of jet producingpassages, all of which trace epicycloidal curves, to provide fountainsprays of sparkling droplets in a predetermined design.

Fountain devices of this invention may be made small as when intendedfor use indoors, and in such cases there will be relatively few jets.For outdoor uses, the fountains of this invention will usually containmany jet forming passages to produce a cascade design of high, low andintermediate sprays.

A general object of this invention is to provide improved fountaindevices of the above mentioned character, which are simple and rugged inconstruction, reliable in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture sothat they may be supplied at low cost and in various forms for usesindoors and outdoors.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thefollowing part of this description wherein the details of constructionand mode of operation of presently preferred embodiments are describedwith reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a fountain device of this invention,and of the fountain produced by the device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the fountain device on a larger scale;

FIG. 3 is a central longitudinal section on a still larger scale throughthe fountain device;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the fountain device of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sections through the fountainl device takenalong lines 5-5 and 6-6 on FIG. 5, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a central longitudinal section through another embodiment offountain devices of this invention; and,

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the fountain device of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, one form of the fountaindevices of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the same beingdesignated generally by reference numeral 10. It receives water from avertical riser pipe 11 upon which it is mounted. 'Ihe device 10 producesa fountain of water having a central spire 13, a group 14 ofintermediate jets, and a group 15 of lower jets. The water droplets ofthe fountain fall upon the surface of water 17 contained in a basin, notshown.

Fountain device 10 comprises a hollow body 19 extending axially into theupper end of the riser pipe, and a nipple 20 for securing the body uponthe riser pipe. The

body 19 comprises a rigid tube 22 anda collar or nut '23 around theupper end of the tube, the tube being force-V fitted or otherwisesuitably secured in the collar. The

collar is screw-threaded at 25 for securing the body in` the nipple, thenipple being internally screw-threaded at 26 for mounting the fountaindevice on the riser. The body tube 22 is of smaller outside diameterthan the inside diameter of the riser to provide an annular space 28around the body tube.

`Numeral 30 designates the inside cylindrical surface of the body tube22, such inside surface defining a `body cavity or bore 31. A waterdischarge opening 33 in the upper end of the body is defined by abearing tube 34 which is force-fitted in the upper end portion of thetube 22. A bearing tube 35` is force-fitted in the lower end of the bodytube, the bearing tube 35 having a cylindrical bore 36 extending axiallytherethrough. The lower end face of the bearing tube 35 denes the lowerend Vface 37 of the body 19. The bearings '34 and 35 are shown as beingformed of laminated phenolic composition.

Formed in the side walls of the body tube 22 is a plurality of apertures39 for admitting water into the body cavity from the riser pipe. Theseapertures are formed as narrow slits which extend longitudinally of thebody 19. There are two such slits in the illustrated embodiment, theybeing diametrically opposed. vAs. bestappears in FIG. 6, these slitsextend through the wall of the tube,

'22 at an angle with respect to the radii of the body cavity 31, therebyto cause water in the body cavity tovspiral around and upwardly inthebody cavity and out through the discharge opening 33.

The rotary and jet producing member of theifountain device is designatedgenerally by reference numeral 42.

It comprises a tubular stem 43, a head 44 on the upper end of the stem,and acollar 45 on the lower end of the stem.

The stem is arranged longitudinally in the body cavity 31 the upper endof the inside wall surface 47 which defines the discharge opening 33.

The rotary member 42 of the illustrated embodiment is movable axially inthe body 19 upwardly to the position thereof shown in FIG. 3 because ofthe force of water ilowing through the body. The collar 45 limits theextentof upward movement of the rotary member through engagel ment ofthe collar against the lower annular end surface 37 of the body 19. Thecollar 45 of the illustrated embodiment is secured upon the lower end ofthe stern by means of a lset screw 48. Numeral 50 designates thelaxially extending passage or bore of the stem, open at its lower end asan inlet opening 51 for reception of water from the riser 11. The head44 has a plurality of oriceS, to be described in detail later, some ofwhich serve as outlet passages from the stem for producing certain ofthe jets of the water fountain.

As thus far described, the fountain device is similar to the lawnsprinklers of U.S. Patent No. 2,639,191. A review of the explanation ofthe mode of operation of the sprinklers of said patent will make itclear that for the fountain device of the instant invention, the swirlof water around and upwardly in the body cavity 31, because of the slantof the Water inlet apertures 39, will cause the rotary member 4Z togyrate around in the body with the axis of the stem being inclined withrespect to the axis of the body cavity 31. In being so gyrated, the stem43 contacts the surfaces which define the discharge opening 33 and thelower end opening 36 of the body whereby the stem rolls along thesurfaces and thus rotates on its axis.

It is the structure of the head 44 of the rotary member which makes thedevice 10` a fountain producing device instead of a lawn sprinkler. Thehead 44 of the illustrated embodiment is formed of plastics material andcomprises a conical portion 53, a central insert 54, radially extendingdividers 55, and an outside skirt 56. To facilitate manufacture of thehead, the central portion 53 and the radiating dividers 55 may be moldedas a unit integral with the upper end portion of the stem. The centralportion 53 is in axial alignment with the stem` and has a cavity 58which is open to upper end opening 59 of the stem bore 50. Cavity 58 isof larger diameter than the stem bore and is covered by the insert 54which is force-fitted or otherwise suitably secured integral with theconical portion 53. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert has itsupper end surface flush with that of the conical portion 53, making aplain upper surface 60` of the head. The inside surface 61 of the insertis preferably concave as shown, and the insert has a plurality oforifices or passages formed therein, these Ibeing a centrally disposedorifice 63 and a circumaxially extending series of three orifices 64.The central orifice or passage 63 of the fountain device 10 is inclinedslightly, about two degrees, with respect to the axis of the stem sothat the outlet end opening 65 of the passage 63 is eccentric of theaxis of the stem and head. The passages 64 are likewise outwardlyinclined, in this case about ten degrees. The central orifice 63 spoutsa jet which forms the central spire 13 of the water fountain, and theorifices 64 form the intermediate spray 14 of the water fountain.

The lower part of the water fountain shown in FIG. l is constituted ofjets of water originating from water which passes around the stem 43from the discharge opening 33. The outside surface 67 of the centralportion 53 of the head is conical the lower end part 68 thereofpreferably being rounded to prevent the head from sticking in thedischarge opening 33 of the body when the flow of water to the fountainis shut off and the head drops down to seat on the upper end bearing 34.The water from the discharge opening 33 llows upwardly along the outsideconical surface 67 and is separated by the dividers 55 to produce thejets of water which form the lower tier 15 of the illustrated waterfountain. In the illustrated embodiment there are six radially extendingdividers 55, they being spaced uniformly -apart to define acircumferentially arranged series of six orifices 70. The surfaces ofeach divider are two diverging surfaces 72 and 73 which meet along anedge 74, and two axially extending surfaces 7S and 76 for the axiallyextending passages or orifices 70. There is a horizontally extendingflat surface 78 which meets the sharp edge 74, it being unnecessary toextend the edge 74 radially outward beyond the extent shown in theillustrated embodiment because water from the discharge opening 33passing upwardly around the conical surface 67 flows along the surface67 and little, if any, except for inconsequential splashing, impingesagainst the flat surfaces 78. What there is of splashing is confined bythe cylindrical skirt 56 which directs loose water not passing throughthe orifices 70', downwardly around the nipple to the basin water 17.

Because of the combined rotary and gyratory motions of the rotary member42, all of the jets of water, i.e. from central orifice 63, intermediateorifices 64, and outermost orifices 70, break up into discrete waterdroplets as distinguished from solid streams. With the parts of thedevice being of the relative sizes shown in the drawing, the device willproduce a fountain of great interest and beauty.

It is of interest to note that the rotary member 42 rotates on itslongitudinal axis in a direction opposite to the direction of swirl ofwater in the body cavity 31 determined by the direction of slant of theinlet apertures 39. Inasmuch as the rotary member gyrates in thedirection of swirl of water in the body cavity, it follows that thedirection of axial rotation is opposite to that of gyration. The leadingsurfaces 72 or 73, as the case may be, of the outer jet producingdividers 55 move opposite to the direction of swirl of water from thedischarge opening. As a result of swirling water impinging on theleading surfaces 72 or 73, the dividers retard rotation of the rotarymember. It is important, then, that the parts and their openings beproportional in size so as to provide suicient axial rotation of therotary member to break up the streams of water from the several orificesinto discrete droplets. The breaking or retarding action of the`dividers 55, mentioned just above, is an important facet of thisinvention, for otherwise the rotary member would rotate so fast that theoutermost jets of water 15 would be broken up too ne and would produce amist.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of fountain devices ofthis invention is shown, it being designated generally by referencenumeral 80. It produces a smaller water fountain than the device 10 ofFIGS. 1 to 6. It is similar in construction to the device 10, but itshead 81 does not have any intermediate group of jet producing orifices64 of device 10, nor does it include the cavity 58 of device 10. Thecentral orifice 82 of device 80 is slightly inclined as is the centralorifice 63 of device 10, and there is a circumferentially extendingseries of six jet orifices 83. The body and rotary stem parts offountain device which correspond with those of device 10 are designatedwith corresponding reference numerals.

The device 80, being one which produces a smaller water fountain as forindoor use, has an annular flange 86 integral with an extending radiallyinward from its cylindrical skirt 87, the skirt being adjustable axiallyaround the outside of the radially extending dividers 88 as in thedevice 10. The flange 86 defines a central opening 90 through whichwater flows from the discharge opening 33 of device 80 to the jetorifices 83. The flange '86 prevents splashed water in the head fromdropping down rupon the body and nipple 20 of the device 80, thisfeature of catching splashed water in the head being desired for smallfountains subject to close view.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in whatis conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosedherein, but is to -be accorded the full scope of the claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new in support ofLetters Patent is:

l. A water fountain comprising a body having an upper end, a lower end,a cavity, a water inlet opening to the cavity, rand a water dischargeopening in the upper end of the body for upwardly directed discharge ofwater from the cavity, said inlet opening being inclined with respect tothe axis of said discharge opening for imparting rotary motion to waterin the cavity, a rotary member extending through said discharge openinginto said cavity, said member comprising an elongate stern, a head onthe stem positioned labove said discharge opening, and means engageablewith the body to maintain the rotary member against being driven `outfrom the cavity, the rotary member being rotatable on the axis of saidstern and adapted to gyrate with the axis of the stem being inclinedwith respect to the axis of said discharge opening, and the head havinga circumferentially arranged series of open-ended peripherally closedpassages extending upwardly through the head for forming jets of waterdroplets, said passages -being open at their lower ends and facing saiddischarge opening to receive water which passes upwardly through saiddischarge opening and outside the stem. v

2. A water fountain comprising a body having an upper end, a lower end,a cavity, la water inlet opening to the cavity, and a water dischargeopening in the upper end of the body for upwardly directed discharge ofwater from the cavity, said inlet opening being inclined with respect tothe axis of said discharge opening for imparting rotary motion to waterin the cavity, a rotary member extending through said discharge openinginto said cavity, said member comprising a tubular stem having an upperend and a lower end, a head on the stem positioned above said dischargeopening, and means engageable with the body to maintain the rotarymember against being driven out from the cavity, the stem being open toiiow of water up through the stem and to said head, the rotary memberbeing rotatable on the axis of said stem and adapted to gyrate with theaxis of the stem being inclined with respect to the axis of saiddischarge opening, the head having a centrally located orifice open tothe inside of the stem, the outlet end of said orifice being eccentricof the axis of the stem, and the head having a cincumferentiallyarranged series of open-ended peripherally closed passages extendingupwardly through the head for forming jets of Water droplets saidpassages being open in their lower ends and facing said dischargeopening to receive water which passes upwardly through said dischargeopening and outside lthe Stem.

3. A water fountain comprising a body having an upper end, a lower end,a cavity, a water inlet opening to the cavity, and a water dischargeopening in the upper end of the body for upwardly directed discharge ofwater 4from the cavity, said inlet opening being inclined with respectto the axis of said discharge opening for imparting rotary motion towater in the cavity, a rotary member extending through said dischargeopening into said cavity, said member comprising an elongate'stem, a

, head on the stem positioned above said discharge opening, yand meansengageable with the body to maintain the rotary member against beingdriven out from the cavity, the rotary member being gyratable around inthe cavity due to swirl of water in the cavity with its longif tudinalaxis being inclined with respect to the axis of said discharge opening,land the rotary member being rotatable on the axis of said stem in adirection opposite to the direction of gyration, the head having aninverted conical outwardly facing surface concentric with the stem, acircumferentially arranged series of dividers extending radially outwardfrom said conical surface and a skirt extending Iaround said series ofdividers and spaced from said conical surface to deiine open-endedperipherally closed passages between the dividers respectively forforming jets of water droplets said passages being open at their lowerends to receive water which passes upwardly through said dischargeopening and outside the stem.

4. A water fountain comprising a body having an upper end, a lower end,a cavity, a water inlet opening to the cavity, and a water dischargeopening in the upper end of the body for upwardly directed discharge ofwater from the cavity, said .inlet opening being inclined with respectto the axis of said discharge opening for imparting rotary motion towater in the cavity, a rotary member extending through said dischargeopening into said cavity, said member comprising a tubular stem havingan upper end and a lower end, a head on the stem positioned above saiddischarge opening, and means engageable with the body to maintain therotary member against being driven out from the cavity, the stem beingopen to flow of water up through the stem and to said head, the rotarymember being rotatable on the axis of said stem and adapted to gyratewith the axis of the stem being inclined with respect to the axis ofsaid discharge opening, the head having a centrally located orifice opento the inside of the stem, the outlet end of said orifice beingeccentric of the axis of the stem, and the head having an invertedconical outwardly facing surface coaxial with the stem, acircumferentially arranged series of projections extending radially fromsaid conical surface and -a skirt extending around said series ofprojections and spaced from said conical surface, said skirt and saidprojections defining open-ended peripherally closed passages extendingupwardly through said head, said passages being open at their lower endsto receive water which passes upwardly through said discharge openingand outside the stem for forming jets of Water comprising said fountain.

5. A Water fountain according to claim 2 and comprising a circumaxiallyextending series of jet forming orifices in the head between saidcentral orifice and said circumferentially extending series of passages,said head having a cavity for flow of water from the stem to saidcentral and said circumaxial orifices.

6. A water fountain according to claim 4 in which said skirt has aninwardly extending annular ange which delines an opening around saidconical sur-face, said flange serving to direct Water from within theskirt toward said conical surface.

7. A water fountain according to claim 4 in which said skirt is slidablyadjustable axially of the rotary member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,248,386 Richardson July 8, 1941 2,494,067 Snowden et al. Jan. l0, 19502,639,191 Hruby May 19, 1953 2,854,283 Hruby Sept. 30, 1958 2,954,171Hruby Sept. 27, 1960

1. A WATER FOUNTAIN COMPRISING A BODY HAVING AN UPPER END, A LOWER END,A CAVITY, A WATER INLET OPENING TO THE CAVITY, AND A WATER DISCHARGEOPENING IN THE UPPER END OF THE BODY FOR UPWARDLY DIRECTED DISCHARGE OFWATER FROM THE CAVITY, SAID INLET OPENING BEING INCLINED WITH RESPECT TOTHE AXIS OF SAID DISCHARGE OPENING FOR IMPARTING ROTARY MOTION TO WATERIN THE CAVITY, A ROTARY MEMBER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE OPENINGINTO SAID CAVITY, SAID MEMBER COMPRISING AN ELONGATE STEM, A HEAD ON THESTEM POSITIONED ABOVE SAID DISCHARGE OPENING, AND MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITHTHE BODY TO MAINTAIN THE ROTARY MEMBER AGAINST BEING DRIVEN OUT FROM THECAVITY, THE ROTARY